Najera talks up Spurs

Indications are the Nuggets want to bring back the great majority of their players from last season. They might want to act soon if Eduardo Najera is to be one.

Najera, a free-agent forward, was in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, where New Jersey is playing in a summer league, to meet with Nets officials about a possible contract. Najera has a good relationship with Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, who had the same title in Denver during Najera's first 11/2 Nuggets seasons.

Then there's San Antonio, where Najera attended high school. Najera said Thursday that "San Antonio has moved up" in the quest to land him.

Najera, whose preference has been to return to Denver, said in the late-afternoon interview he had yet to receive any offers.

Najera, who Wednesday showed strong interest in New Jersey, declined to elaborate on his dealings with the Nets.

But he spoke more freely about the Spurs.

"San Antonio, they're trying to work some things out in terms of years and all that," Najera said. "I'm open."

The Nets and Spurs present different challenges from a contract standpoint. The Nets can offer more out of the midlevel exception of $5,585,000, but they are reluctant to hand out much money past summer 2010 because of an expected run at likely free agent LeBron James.

The Spurs have less money available for next season. After agreeing to a two-year, $7.5 million deal with free agent Roger Mason Jr., they have about $2 million left in the midlevel exception as well as the $1.91 million biannual exception.

The Nuggets are deep into the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax. So they would pay double the money for a contract signed by Najera.

RockyMountainNews article

I rather we go after Matt Barnes

I think we need another 3 on this team or a better 4/5 than him

Every team can use a guy like this, hustle, dirty work, he can even hit a three from time to time. I'd be really happy with Eddie. Always hated him when he played against the Spurs, must mean he does something right.

I like Najera and wouldn't mind if we signed him, but we already have a guy like him on the team. His name is Matt Bonner. And Matt Bonner can shoot the 3 better.

Stringer Bell wrote:I like Najera and wouldn't mind if we signed him, but we already have a guy like him on the team. His name is Matt Bonner. And Matt Bonner can shoot the 3 better.

Its just my opinion but I think Najera is a lot better player than Bonner he's a better defender and shooter I would be happy to see him added to the roster.

One reason because we all know how Pop dosen't give rookies a lot of playing time this would give us another good player.

He just signed with the Nets today

duardo Najera is bound for New Jersey.

The free-agent forward agreed to terms Friday to sign with the Nets, and leave the Nuggets after 3 ½ seasons. The deal is worth about $12 million over four years.

“I’m in a good position right now,’’ Najera told the Rocky Mountain News. “I feel really good about it.’’

The Nets announced they have reached agreements in principle with Najera as well as free-agent swingman Jarvis Hayes. The agreements are contingent on both players passing physicals.

“We are very pleased to add two veterans like Eduardo and Jarvis to our roster,’’ Nets president Rod Thorn said in a statement. “Both are solid, competitive NBA players who will add versatility and depth to both our frontcourt and backcourt rotations.’’

Najera said he “definitely’’ will accept New Jersey’s offer.

Najera was in Orlando, Fla., where the Nets are playing in summer league, on Thursday and Friday to meet with Thorn, Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and coach Lawrence Frank. Vandeweghe, New Jersey’s general manager, was Denver’s general manager from 2001-06, and traded for Najera in February 2005.

Friday is Najera’s 32nd birthday. He called the offer a “great’’ gift.

The Nuggets had at least initial interest in keeping Najera, and coach George Karl called him twice during the first week of free agency. However, the Nuggets are deep into the luxury tax and any contract would have cost them double.

“They could have made some moves (to clear money),’’ said Najera, who said he hasn’t heard much from the Nuggets in recent days and they never made an offer.

Najera said last summer he offered to not opt out of the final year of his contract (paying $4.95 million) and sign a four-year deal that would have paid him a lesser salary last season.

“I offered to save them some money,’’ Najera said of last season.